Design Review Committee (In-Person) (Nov 20, 2025)

Recap of Asheville, NC Design Review Committee Meeting - November 20, 2025

The Asheville, NC Design Review Committee convened on November 20, 2025, at City Hall (70 Court Plaza) following a pre-meeting open to the public from 12:15 p.m. The meeting, chaired by Christina Roush and attended by Bryan Moffitt, Joe Balcken, Eddie Dewey, Jeremy Goldstein, Stu Helm, Michael McDonough, Thomas McLaughlin, and Ricardo Seijo (with Steven Lee Johnson and Ricardo Seijo absent from the October 16th meeting), focused on reviewing design proposals and approving prior minutes.

The primary agenda items included the approval of the October 16, 2025 meeting minutes, followed by formal design reviews for two key projects. The committee first conducted a Level I review of a proposed outdoor concert venue at 155 Thompson Street, submitted by Big Picture Concert Group. This venue aims to accommodate up to 6,000 people and will consist of shipping containers surrounding an 82’x40’ stage. Following that, the committee held an advisory review of signage proposed by Explore Asheville for the Wall Street Gateway. Public comment was solicited for both projects during their respective formal reviews, prior to any voting action.

Prior to the November 20th meeting, on October 16, 2025, the committee approved the minutes from their September 18th meeting with minor revisions. Robin Raines recused herself from two upcoming items, and the committee approved a proposed office building at 16 Pearl Street with several conditions related to mechanical screening, parapet extent clarification, stormwater management (including consideration of green roofs), and pedestrian access. An informal review was also conducted for a proposed 5-story, 72-unit building at 290 Depot Street, with no formal motion taken.

Details regarding the November 20th meeting's outcomes, including any votes or decisions made on the Thompson Street concert venue and Wall Street Gateway signage, are currently unavailable in the provided documents. Interested parties can access meeting recordings and further information on the Design Review Committee webpage: www.ashevillenc.gov/drc.